Vugs
Vugs ('vug' is sometimes used as a plural noun as well) are squat humanoid creatures, standing about three to four feet tall with flat-topped, triangular heads and stocky bodies. Their arms are slightly longer relative to their body than would be the case for a human. Their eyes are small and solid black. They are totally hairless and their skin is smooth. It is either a mottled orange colour or mottled purple. They have no obvious nose, and a small lipless mouth. There are no genders discernable to humans, although some conjecture that the purple and orange varieties represent sexual differences.
Despite their humanoid appearance, vugs are almost mindless and have no culture of their own. They can be commanded to perform a task, however, and they will continue to do so tirelessly. Vugs seem able to comprehend any language spoken to them although they do not speak. They are used throughout the Empire for tasks too menial or dangerous for humans, although they are expensive to buy since they must be caught wild in the uplands near Nirhamsa, Kronlordan and Thellingerstan. Vugs are not known to reproduce in captivity, nor do they eat unless commanded and there is conjecture that they are some form of construct rather than living beings. Philosophers of the Empire have debated the status of the vug for many centuries without conclusion. Vugs do not show signs of fatigue or illness, but they sometimes carry a disease known as 'vug fever' which can affect humanoids. Vugs cost 100 gp (10 thousand yen) each. The services of a Vug Handler in order to train a vug costs 5 sp (50 yen) per vug, per day.
Vug
Small Animal
Hit Dice: 2d8+4 (11 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 20 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 12 (+1 size, +1 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +1/-1
Attack: Slam +3 melee (1d3+2 nonlethal)
Full Attack: Slam +3 melee (1d3+2 nonlethal)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: Energy resistance 5, immunities, low-light vision
Saves: Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +3
Abilities: Str 14, Dex 10, Con 15, Int -, Wis 10, Cha -
Skills: Special, see below.
Feats: -
Environment: Temperate mountains
Organization: Domesticated
Challenge Rating: 1/4
Advancement: -
Combat: Vug are not natural fighters and do not even fight to defend themselves. They can be trained to deliver a weak slam attack with their fists, but weapon training requires too much initiative for them to master. At best, a vug can swing a weapon back and forth repetitively, in which case use the above attack bonus with weapon damage instead. Vugs never make attacks of opportunity.
Immunities (ex): Vugs are immune to all disease of a non-magical nature. They gain a +4 bonus to saving throws against poison.
Skills: Lacking intelligence, vug have no skills of their own. They can, however, be trained in any simple task. To do so requires Profession (vug handler). The difficulty of the check depends on the complexity of the task.
Whereas tembu are bred for strength, shandix are bred for speed. They are an antelope-like creature with striped flanks. Both sexes have horns, but on the male they are straight and on the female they are coiled. Because of this, females are used more commonly as mounts, for the safety of the rider. Shandix are unable to carry particularly heavy loads - more than about 100 pounds and they will refuse to move. Otherwise, they can run swiftly and are used by couriers. Unlike tembu, shandix are pretty fearless and can be trained as mounts of war, although again due to their light carrying capacity they are better suited to skirmishing and scouting. The obrovon originates from Obrenaja and is a similar creature to the shandix, but slightly hardier. A shandix costs 75 gp (7500 yen), whilst a war shandix costs 150 gp (15 thousand yen). Obrovon cost 90 gp (9000 yen) for a riding beast or 180 gp (18 thousand yen) for a war-trained obrovon.